Olympics 2008: Sailing | Sport | The Guardian Olympics 2008: Sailing Iain Percy, who partnered Andrew Simpson to Olympic gold in 2008, recalls his fellow sailor and lifelong friend Published: 14 Dec 2013 Ben Ainslie, five times an Olympic sailor and four times a gold medallist, has confirmed that he will not be going to a sixth Games at Rio in 2016 Published: 26 Nov 2012 Jeremy Plester on the highly prestigious sailing regatta Published: 4 Aug 2011 The three-time Olympic star on his split personality, David Cameron – and why he's going to need a bigger boat Published: 19 Sep 2009 How do you follow the greatest day of your life?

Emma John catches up with six Olympic gold medallists Published: 25 Jul 2009 Two British Olympic champions let rusty sailor Michael Hutchinson take the tiller of their gold-winning vessel Published: 27 Jun 2009 Britain's gold medal-winning sailors have all been collectively awarded the Yachtsman of the Year trophy Published: 15 Jan 2009 Britain's gold medal-winning Yngling crew to split up after their class was removed from London 2012 Published: 22 Dec 2008 Medals today would signal the best British sailing team ever after Bryony Shaw's bronze Published: 7:01 PM Britain's Bryony Shaw has won a bronze medal in the women's RS:X windsurfing event in Qingdao but Nick Dempsey finished just outside the medals Published: 2:07 AM Paul Goodison won Team GB's third sailing gold despite his boat never hitting top speed Published: 7:01 PM Paul Goodison has won the Laser class in Qingdao to a third sailing gold to the British haul Published: 3:32 AM Britain claimed another gold on the water as Paul Goodison triumphed in the Laser class sailing Published: 8

:10 PM Nick Rodgers and Joe Glanfield joined the celebrations among Britain's sailing team after winning silver in the 470 class Published: 7:01 PM Cycling, rowing and sailing contribute to 17 of Britain's 27 medals Published: 7:01 PM Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield battled back to win silver, Britain's third sailing medal of the Games Published: 1:49 AM With only a slight lead going into the Yngling medal race, the British team produced a dominant performance to win gold Published: 7:01 PM Ben Ainslie won gold in the Finn class with a display of pure sailing panache and exuberance, writes Steve Bierley Published: 7:01 PM After picking up his third gold, Ben Ainslie has become Britain's greatest-ever Olympic sailor, writes Steve Bierley Published: 6:04 AM Team GB's gold rush continued after the women's Yngling team and Ben Ainslie sailed to glory Published: 5:42 AM Paula Radcliffe is battling for gold in the women's marathon.

There's more medals up for grabs in the pool too.

Follow the action NOW Published: 7:01 PM Ben Ainslie bemoaned the decision to hold the sailing in Qingdao after his medal race was postponed Published: 5:03 AM Home battles to watch out for over the next two days Published: 7:01 PM Ben Ainslie will collect at least a silver medal in the Finn class after another successful day Published: 7:01 PM Ben Ainslie put a frustratingly long weather delay behind him to sew up at least a silver medal in the Finn class Published: 7:40 AM Racing alongside her ex-boyfriend and against her fiancée, sailing's Tornado class could prove emotional for Carolijn Brouwer, writes Steve Bierley Published: 5:35 AM All the action from day seven of the Beijing Olympics as it happened Published: 8:33 PM Team GB single-handedly takes on Michael Phelps with ten gold medals up for grabs in next three days Published: 7:01 PM The British sailing team manager is confident Ben Ainslie will win his third Olympic title on Saturday Published: 1:20 PM Olympics: All races off as wind dies ...

and picks up There was no sailing here at all for the first time since competition began last Saturday. Four races were lost yesterday when the wind petered away, and it was obvious early this morning that all races in all classes were likely to be called off Published: 5:26 AM BBC SPORT | Olympics | Sailing | GB sailors take Star gold medal GB sailors take Star gold medal Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Gold star performance by GB sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson won Britain's fourth sailing gold as they held their nerve in a thrilling climax to the Star class event in Qingdao. Percy and Simpson started the medal race in second place and had to fight tooth and claw with Sweden before getting to the line just ahead of them. The gold was the ideal end to Britain's most successful regatta in a century. Brazil's Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada took silver, and Sweden's Fredrik Loof and Anders Ekstrom claimed the bronze. Britain finished on 45 points, eight in front of the Brazilians and Swedes. The South Americans took silver by virtue of their better result in the medal race.

We're working hard to try to keep up with the Team GB cyclists and and the rowing team. Great Britain sailing manager Stephen Park Percy and Simpson added another gold medal to Britain's tally in Qingdao, following in the wake of Ben Ainslie, Paul Goodison and the Yngling crew of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson. With six medals altogether, Britain's tally surpassed the five medals won in Sydney and Athens and matched the record from the London Games back in 1908. GB sailing manager Stephen Park said his team's sustained success - this was the third Games in the row that they had topped the sailing medals table - was part of a more general change within British sport. "It's absolutely fantastic, I'm over the moon with the medals and the gold for the Stars is the icing on the cake," said Park, who was thrown into the water by his jubilant team after the end of the regatta. "It's a huge relief that we've actually managed to deliver against our target. I'm really pleased that Great Britain is having a fantastic Olympic Games and we're playing our part in that.

"We're working hard to try to keep up with my good mate Dave Brailsford (Team GB's cycling chief) and all of the cyclists and David Tanner (his equivalent with the British rowers) and the rowing team. Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Star sailors in shock after gold win "They've done a pretty good job and the other sports are making a sterling effort. Britain is getting stronger and stronger in all its sports moving towards 2012. "The question now is what are we going to do moving towards 2012 with the British team across all sports? And that's certainly going to be a very interesting discussion when we get home." Britain's pre-Games target was to leave Qingdao with one gold medal as part of four in total. Having significantly overachieved though, Park said Britain would go into the 2012 Olympics absolutely determined to build on their success. "The aim is to win in every class and rest assured we will be going into that regatta with people that we believe are capable of winning in every single discipline," he said. Percy said the crew had needed to hold its nerve in the final stages.

"It's unbelievable and it's so special to do it with this fella (Simpson)," said Percy, after claiming the second Olympic gold of his career. "I knew we weren't going to bottle it, and we didn't." 606: DEBATE BBC SPORT | Olympics | Team GB's roll of honour Team GB's roll of honour Great Britain's medallists from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 19 golds, 13 silvers, 15 bronzes. GOLD MEDALLISTS Age 25, born Swansea Cycling, Women's road race How she did it - Cooke, who finished fifth in 2004, won a thrilling sprint finish after hitting the front with four others in the gruelling 126km race. The 25-year-old was grateful for the pace-making efforts of team-mate Emma Pooley. What they said - "I came over the line and there was so much... I was just so happy and there were so many emotions coming out all at once. I made so much noise because I guess that's just the person I am." Nicole Cooke "It was mature and astute. She's become her own person.

Call it a coming of age." Chris Boardman, 1992 gold medallist and adviser to Team GB Age 19, born Mansfield Swimming, 400m and 800m freestyle How she did it - Adlington produced an astonishing finish in the 400m freestyle to pip American Katie Hoff by seven 100ths of a second - the length of a fingernail. The teenager then blew away the opposition - shattering the world record in the process - in her favourite event, the 800m, to become Britain's most successful swimmer of the last 100 years. What they said - "I absolutely can't believe that has happened." Adlington after winning the 800m "When we did our Olympic send-off I promised her a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes if she brought back gold, so it looks like I might have to eat my words now.

She has raised the profile of Mansfield and as an individual she is remarkable." Mayor of Mansfield Tony Eggington JAMIE STAFF, JASON KENNY, CHRIS HOY Track cycling, Men's team sprint How they did it - Britain's track cycling team began a velodrome gold rush with victory in the first final. GB had lost to France at the last three World Championships but comfortably saw off their rivals by 0.523 seconds. What they said - "The French have been so dominant. To stick half a second into them, it's amazing." Jamie Staff "Our friendship has been so dominant in the last few years. As part of a team, you can't let anyone down." Chris Hoy TOM JAMES, STEVE WILLIAMS, PETE REED, ANDY HODGE Rowing, Men's coxless four How they did it - Incredibly, injuries to Hodge and James meant Britain's first-choice four had never raced together competitively before they arrived in Beijing. But after dominating their semi-final, they produced a late surge in the final to overtake Australia and keep up Britain's proud tradition in the coxless four.

What they said - "I haven't won any international races before but we knew beforehand we could do it." Tom James "[Coach] Jurgen Grobler kept telling us no one could beat us but sometimes it was hard to believe him." Steve Williams "We were on the ropes and we put together the best finish we've ever had." Pete Reed "I've never been in that pain in my entire life." Andy Hodge Age 28, born Ghent, Belgium Cycling, Men's individual pursuit How he did it - 'Wiggo' fully lived up to his status as pre-race favourite. The 28-year-old defending champion produced a peerless ride in the final to thrash New Zealand's Hayden Roulston by three seconds. What they said - "I had to play it safe, I couldn't play silly beggars and go chasing world records." Bradley Wiggins "When he saw that Chris Boardman race [in 1992] he said 'I'm going to win an Olympic gold medal'. And he did.

I wish I'd had a bet on him." Wiggins's mum Linda Age 32, born Edinburgh Cycling, Men's keirin How he did it - The 'Real McHoy' collected his second gold of the Games, his raw power in the final lap proving far too much for his rivals. Hoy had only taken up the event in 2007 when the kilometre time-trial - at which he won gold in Athens four years ago - was dropped from the Olympics. What they said - "After the 'Kilo' was dropped, there were parts of me thinking that it could be the end of my individual career, but to come back to win a different event altogether is just fantastic, it really is." Chris Hoy "You are now Scotland's greatest Olympian." British Olympic Association chairman Sir Craig Reedie to Hoy on the podium SARAH AYTON, SARAH WEBB, PIPPA WILSON Sailing, Yngling How they did it - The triumphant 2004 Yngling crew lost Shirley Robertson but Pippa Wilson stepped in and the 'three blondes in a boat' won the final race in atrocious conditions to beat the Dutch by nine points.

What they said - "We know we're the best." Sarah Ayton "Our experience was everything, we stayed sure and we got better." Sarah Webb "We've been happy to come out here in any conditions and today we proved that." Pippa Wilson ZAC PURCHASE, MARK HUNTER Rowing, Lightweight men's double sculls How they did it - The hot favourites for gold came into the Olympic regatta unbeaten this season. They held off Greece in the final to win Great Britain's first lightweight rowing gold. What they said - "I'm in a bit of a daze. National anthem, flag - it's a dream come true." Mark Hunter "The last 10 years have come down to six minutes of hell, but it's all worth it." Zac Purchase Age 31, born Macclesfield Sailing, Finn How he did it - Hot favourite Ainslie made it three gold medals in three Games to become Britain's most successful Olympic sailor. Leading going into the medal race, the 31-year-old only needed to finish six places behind closest rival Zach Railey - but still won the race anyway. What they said - "To me, that's what sport is about.

It's those pressure moments. That's what I love about competing." Ben Ainslie "Everyone in sailing knows he's a legend. He's so young still and he has yet to do more. I wouldn't be surprised if he surpassed Sir Steve Redgrave. In my lifetime, he's the most special sailor we've seen." Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson Age 28, born Carshalton Cycling, Women's individual pursuit How she did it - After winning a silver medal in rowing in 2004. she switched to cycling two years ago and claimed gold by beating team-mate Wendy Houvenaghel in the 3,000m. What they said - "I haven't got the reaction that I'd imagined that I'd have... but it's magical. It's been so hard. I can't explain what I've had to go through. " Rebecca Romero "She did say she might like to try something a bit more glamorous, like beach volleyball [in the run-up to London 2012].

But I must stress that was definitely a joke." Rebecca Romero's mother BRADLEY WIGGINS/PAUL MANNING/GERAINT THOMAS/ED CLANCY Track cycling, Men's team pursuit How they did it - The favourites even surprised themselves as they clocked the new world record of three minutes, 53.314 seconds as they beat Denmark in the final. What they said - "We were just rattling around, it was so smooth, it felt easy to be honest. We knew it was fast but 3:53.314 ï¿½ we just can't believe it.

That's going to go down in history, that time won't be broken in a long time, we're the best team in the world." Geraint Thomas "We've got a young dynamic team and we haven't even started yet." Britain's cycling coach Dan Hunt Age 24, born London Athletics - Women's 400 metres How she did it - Ohuruogu looked beaten down the final straight but her strength and stamina saw her overhaul her fading rivals in dramatic fashion as she added the Olympic title to her 2007 world crown, having previously been banned for a year for missing three out of competition drug tests. What they said - "I don't really care what people think or say, they can say what they like. I have come here and got what I wanted and I'm happy." Christine Ohuruogu "She's level-headed and surrounded by good people - she will keep her feet on the ground.

She has had her trials and tribulations and she knows how to treat it." Bob Smith, chairman of Newham and Essex Beagles Athletic Club Age 32, born Edinburgh Cycling, Men's sprint How he did it - The man the rest of the team hold in awe, Hoy beat team-mate and rising star Jason Kenny to become the first Briton in a 100 years to win three golds at an Olympics. The Scot with tree trunks for thighs just had too much power for Kenny. What they said - "An inspiration to the British cycling team and an inspiration to British sport in general. Chris Hoy for Superman? Yes!" Victoria Pendleton "It's like he has swallowed a motorbike." Dutch rival Theo Bos "Chris's performances at the Beijing Olympics were simply outstanding and he deserves every recognition. I can think of no better way of marking his historic success than by naming Scotland's only world-class track cycling facility after him." Glasgow City council leader Steven Purcell on naming the velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth Games after Hoy Age 27, born Hitchin Cycling, Women's sprint How she did it - Now known as Queen Victoria.

The pressure was on for her to win gold in the only event she was competing in at the velodrome, but you could not tell. She blitzed her rivals in commanding style to win the gold she craved. What they said - "I've wanted this so badly. I'd beaten everyone in the field so there was a lot pressure on me to win a medal - I'm 'the golden girl of the track'. Victoria Pendleton "I'm paid to win gold medals. Let's win 'em all." Dave Brailsford, Britain's cycling performance director IAIN PERCY, ANDREW SIMPSON Sailing, Star class How they did it - Percy and "Bart" Simpson trailed Sweden by two points at the start of the double-points medal race and needed to finish ahead of their rivals to snatch the gold. The Brits produced an outstanding display to come home in fifth, five places ahead of the Swedes, in a nail-biting encounter. What they said - "I felt good this morning. I knew we could do it. I knew we weren't going to bottle it and we didn't.

It's been a killer four years and it feels great to put it behind us." Iain Percy "I'm shocked and to do this after the week and year we've had is unbelievable. Words can't describe how happy we are. There's never certainty but since last year we focused on nothing else but this week. I made a few little mistakes today but we pulled it back and luckily it came good for us." Andrew Simpson Age 22, born Hammersmith Boxing middleweight How he did it - Fighting Cuba's Emilio Correa in the final, DeGale went 6-1 ahead when Correa was penalised two points for biting. The lead was reduced to two in the final tense moments but DeGale hung on. What they said - " He was tough, horrible and strong throughout the bout. But I'm Olympic champion, it's unbelievable." James DeGale "That was painful. I thought the referee had lost the plot, but you have to do what you have to do and James was going to win that whatever way it took.

We've delivered for UK Sport, now UK Sport have got to deliver for us." Team GB coach Terry Edwards Age 25, born London Road cycling, Women's time trial How she did it - The rider, who lives in Switzerland, went out fifth and set a blistering pace, to record a time of 35:16 over the hilly 23.5-km course. She led for much of the race, until Kristin Armstrong of the US posted a late time of 34 minutes 51.72 seconds to win gold. What they said - "I just concentrated on riding as fast as I could, being absolutely smooth and enjoying myself without anyone to push me off. It helps being positive-nervous, because you've been waiting four years for this." Emma Pooley Age 25, born Newmarket Cycling, Men's keirin How he did it - It was always going to be a scrap for the other medals with Chris Hoy in action, but Edgar put in a fabulous performance after missing out on selection for the sprint line-up. He timed his late burst superbly to beat Japan's Kiyofumi Nagai on the line.

What they said - "The team sprint was hard to watch, the guys put in a phenomenal ride. It was a shame I couldn't be part of team but I'm delighted today, I can't put it into words." Ross Edgar "It's fantastic for him. He's such a high-calibre rider, so for him to pick up a silver in this, not being a member of our team sprint, it's a sign of the times of how strong this Great Britain team is." Chris Hoy KATHERINE GRAINGER/ANNIE VERNON/DEBBIE FLOOD/FRANCES HOUGHTON Rowing, Women's quadruple sculls How they did it - They were bidding for GB's first women's rowing gold, and despite a phenomenal effort at the end, it wasn't enough to see off the Chinese. It was an agonising third successive silver for Grainger. What they said - "I believe if we did it again we could do it. I want to go back to the start and try again. We let it slip away at the end. It was 100% from everyone but we didn't quite get it right." Katherine Grainger "I'm absolutely gutted for them.

They really deserved to win, I'm gutted for all of them." Former rower Rebecca Romero ALEX PARTRIDGE/TOM STALLARD/TOM LUCY/RICHARD EGINGTON/JOSH WEST/ALASTAIR HEATHCOTE/MATT LANGRIDGE/COLIN SMITH/ACER NETHERCOTT Rowing, Men's eights How they did it - Four years after a punctured lung forced him out of the four, Alex Partridge lined up with his team-mates and pushed the Canadians all the way in a stunning race, but just didn't have enough at the end. It was close though. What they said - "It came down to great force and a gutsy performance. Unfortunately it wasn't quite there to beat them. I'm disappointed." Alastair Heathcote Age 33, born Magherafelt, Northern Ireland Cycling, Women's individual pursuit How she did it - She was up against team-mate Rebecca Romero, but Houvenaghel barely got a look-in over the 12 laps finishing nearly two seconds behind in a time of three minutes 30 seconds. What they said - "I gave everything I had to push Rebecca all the way.

I have done that, and I am very proud. To be standing on the podium at the Olympics is a great achievement." Wendy Houvenaghel JOE GLANFIELD, NICK ROGERS Sailing, Men's 470 class How they did it - It was a poor start for the British duo, but they hit back with a fantastic effort to finish the final race in third place, enough to take second overall behind Australia. What they said - "That was the most intense race I've done for so long. We came through and I'm really pleased" Nick Rogers Age 20, born Bolton Cycling, Men's sprint How he did it - It was a tall order going up against fellow Brit Chris Hoy but the 20-year-old still managed to push the Scot all the way - only losing the opening race by half a wheel's length. Hoy cruised the second race, but Kenny's time will come. What they said - "You turn up at the Olympics and finish second and you think - you know, I'm really very good!" Jason Kenny "Kenny has come through the ranks and he is the man who will win at London 2012.

Beating him was really tough - it was probably the hardest race of my life." Chris Hoy Age 25, born Plymouth Modern pentathlon How she did it - A decent shoot, followed by a strong performance in the fencing and a season's best in the 200m swim put Fell in second place - a solid show jumping followed and although she made up 10 seconds on winner Lena Schoneborn on the final 3,000m, gold was just beyond her. What they said - "I had some luck - you have to for five events to go so well. The crowd helped so much and it has been a great day. For two Brits to finish in the top seven (Katy Livingston) in our first Olympics shows how strong we are." Heather Fell Age 37, born Rustington Equestrian, Women's individual eventing How she did it - When lying in joint sixth heading into the final show-jumping stage on Miners Frolic, Cook put in a clear round which saw her briefly occupy top spot. It was an anxious wait watching six riders follow her around the jumps, but four of them dislodged fences which elevated her to third. What they said - "I can't speak.

It is unbelievable, like a dream come true." Tina Cook WILLIAM FOX-PITT/SHARON HUNT/DAISY DICK/MARY KING/TINA COOK Equestrian, Team eventing How they did it - The British team began the final day 11.70 points behind top-placed Australia, but struggled to push for the top medals, despite a fine effort and clear round from Tina Cook. What they said - "I'm so excited. The way he has jumped feels great. The horse is really young and I'm really pleased with him as he has never seen anything like this before." Tina Cook on her 10-year-old mount Miners Frolic ELISE LAVERICK/ANNA BEBINGTON Rowing, Women's double sculls How they did it - It was a second successive bronze for Laverick in the double sculls, after her efforts in Athens four years ago. But it was still a great achievement with Laverick fighting back to fitness after being the victim of a hit-and-run' accident in 2005. They were edged out of the top two spots by the New Zealand and German boats.

What they said - "We left it with too much to do but - in Anna's first final - we were nearly there. I said I was going to stop after this but now who knows?" Elise Laverick MATTHEW WELLS/STEPHEN ROWBOTHAM Rowing, Men's double sculls How they did it - It was a fabulous effort from the British pair who just missed out on silver by 0.05 seconds. They had been firing in second place behind Australia's David Crawshay and Scott Brennan but were passed by Estonia in the last few metres. What they said - "It was very disappointing not to get the gold, extremely disappointing not to get the silver but you never pass up an Olympic medal.

I'm just delighted." Stephen Rowbotham "In that last couple of strokes I thought we had it but I'm really pleased to have come away with something." Matthew Wells Age 34, born Middlesbrough Cycling, Men's points race How he did it - It was always going to be tough facing the Sydney 2000 champion and Athens 2004 silver medallist Joan Llanares, but there was a chance for silver as Newton battled German Roger Kluge with nine laps left and one sprint. Newton faded with the finish in sight to end on 56 points. What they said - "It was hard out there. I was very calm before the race. I didn't think I was ready for it, but as soon as I pulled on a skinsuit something kicked in." Chris Newton Age 21, born Plymouth Swimming, Women's 10km marathon How she did it - It was one almighty battle for Patten and team-mate Keri-Anne Payne as they struggled to contend with the efforts of Larisa Ilchenko. The Russian sat on the feet of the leading Brits but then made a late surge before edging past in the final few metres.

What they said - "Every part of your body is hurting. Your stomach is the size of a pea, because all the blood rushes to your arms, your body is saying stop but your head is saying come on keep going." Cassie Patten Age 23, Sunderland Boxing, Light heavyweight (75-81kg) How he did it - Following a bye in the first round, Jeffries made the last eight after coming through a messy encounter with Colombia's Eleider Alvarez on a count back. He then dispatched Hungary's Imre Szello 10-2 to reach the semi-final where he was outclassed by Ireland's Kenny Egan. What they said - "Before I came here I would have been happy to get a medal but now I feel absolutely gutted. I felt brilliant in the warm-up but on the day he boxed brilliantly. I don't think I boxed that badly but he upped his game. Kenny was the better fighter on the night and he beat me fair and square." Tony Jeffries Age 25, Liverpool Boxing, Super heavyweight (91kg+) How he did it - Price stopped the favourite for the gold, Russia's Islam Timurziev, in the second round of his opening contest.

He was beating Jaroslav Jaksto 3-1 in their quarter-final before the Lithuanian was forced to retire in the second round. But Italy's Roberto Cammarelle was too powerful in the semi-final and stopped Price in round two. What they said - "I feel like all the good work I've put in here has just gone down the pan. He caught me cold in the first round and he surprised me. The best man won on the night. No-one can take my medal away from me and it's been a fantastic journey up until today. I'll sit down and have a think about what to do next. I might return in 2012 - but it might be in synchronised swimming after that." David Price From Yngling to canoeing, Britain's Olympians aim for more of the same | Sport | The Guardian From Yngling to canoeing, Britain's Olympians aim for more of the same Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson won gold in 2004.

Photograph: Feng Li/Getty Images Sunday 27 July 2008 19.01 EDT First published on Sunday 27 July 2008 19.01 EDT Sailing - Yngling Gold Robertson, Ayton and Webb Few images from the last Olympics linger in the British psyche quite like Kelly Holmes's startled expression as she won her second gold medal on the Athens track. But, it can be argued, coming a close second remains the sight of three blondes in a boat steering their way to an historic triumph. Shirley Robertson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb not only secured the first of Great Britain's nine golds in Greece, they also won the inaugural Olympic regatta of the Yngling keelboat. A mystery to anyone without an interest in sailing before those Games, the boat drew headlines after the success of the trio - whose sporting prowess was augmented by good looks - and suddenly there was great interest in the racing of what the International Yngling Association describes as an "agreeable cross between a planing dinghy and a keelboat". As with many Olympic competitions, however, the Yngling soon fell off the British sporting radar.

But for those keen to see interest in it rekindled in 2008 there is good news - the blondes are back. Well, sort of. Having become the first British female to win gold at consecutive Olympics, Robertson retired after Athens to start a family. Ayton and Webb were keen, though, to defend their title in Beijing and so went about seeking a replacement. Pippa Wilson, another blonde who had previously competed in the 470 class, was eventually chosen. The crew has since embarked on an encouraging period of success. "I thought that 2012 was a realistic goal but the Sarahs have brought that forward and Beijing can't come quickly enough," said Wilson. With Ayton having replaced Robertson as the skipper, they won the 2007 and 2008 world championships. "In terms of form, the build-up to these Games is far more positive than it was for Athens," said Stephen Park, the Olympic manager for the Royal Yachting Association. "We had a very good team four years ago but it lacked consistency. We would have four decent regattas and then choke at the next one.

This team doesn't do that; it performs well at each event and is currently ahead of the rest of the pack, which is fantastic." That sentiment is not so keenly shared, however, by Robertson who, having returned to the sport two years ago with a new crew, remains bitter at not being given a "fair" chance to qualify for what would have been her fifth Olympics. Selectors ended the process after last year's world championship in Portugal in which Ayton's came first and Robertson's third. The 40-year-old believes the trials should have been extended further. Despite her grievances Robertson, who will be in Beijing commentating for the BBC, says she is willing the Yngling crew to win gold and the signs are they will indeed repeat the triumph of 2004. "We are aiming to win a medal of some kind and the chances of it being gold are strong," said Park. "All we can do is prepare well. Thankfully that is what the girls are doing." Badminton Silver Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms Having won bronze in Sydney and silver in Athens momentum suggests Britain will finally secure a first Olympic badminton gold in Beijing. If only it was that easy.

While the team is in good form they are entering a nation which can rightly hail itself as masters of the sport. China currently has the No1 ranked male and female singles players as well as three mixed pairs in the world's top five, one of whom - Ling Gao and Jun Zheng - won gold in the mixed doubles four years ago, beating Britain's Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms in the final. As well coping with the talent of the home players Team GB also has to handle the partisan home support - more than 75 million Chinese residents watched Gao and Zheng triumph in Athens and a larger audience is expected to watch this year's event, not to mention the fervent crowds that will fill the halls at the Olympic venue throughout the competition. However Britain should not abandon hope just yet. While the odds of achieving gold are slight they remain tangible, particularly in the mixed doubles where the country has two pairs in the world's top 10: Robertson and Emms, and Donna Kellogg and Anthony Clark, the current European champions and, perhaps more significantly, victors over Gao and Zheng in the quarter-finals of last month's Singapore Open.

"To have two pairs in the top 10 with one having beaten the Olympic champions so recently gives us hope of doing really well in Beijing," said Andy Wood, the Olympic team leader. "The target is definitely to win one medal and the one we want is gold." Despite the form of Kellogg and Clark, Wood believes it is Robertson and Emms who could make the biggest impact. "The fact they have already competed at an Olympics, and won a silver there, counts for a lot," he said. "Statistically it is difficult to win a medal at your first Olympics so experience is important and they have it." Robertson and Emms have been competing together for 14 years and despite the success enjoyed in that time, which includes a European title, they are desperate for their longevity to be rewarded with an Olympic gold after coming so close in Athens. "We made a pact to each other straight afterwards that we're going for gold in Beijing," said Emms.

"We've definitely learnt from Athens, we know what it's like - been there, done that." In the singles the British No1, Andrew Smith, is also expected to do well but taking part in his first Olympics, there is no pressure on the 24-year-old to bring back a medal. "He is a talent for the future and we just want him to enjoy being part of such a major event," said Wood. "Hopefully it will stand him in good stead for 2012." Tracey Hallam, the Commonwealth champion and ranked No14 in the world, will represent Team GB in the women's singles in Beijing, having been a quarter-finalist in Athens in 2004, while Emms and Kellogg are to team up in the women's doubles. Canoeing Bronze Helen Reeves Bronze Ian Wynne Nobody expected Britain's canoeists to do so well in Athens, not even among the team itself. Having won three medals - their best Olympic result - last time out, those involved are determined to build on such strong foundations.

That pursuit will certainly be helped by the presence of Campbell Walsh, who took silver in the men's kayak in Athens and is going to Beijing with form on his side -the Glasgow-born 30-year-old won at this year's European Championships. The other medallists from Athens are not returning to Olympic action. Helen Reeves, who won bronze in the women's kayak, and Ian Wynne, who did the same in the 500m flatwater event, have retired. "Despite the absence of Helen and Ian, I actually believe this team is stronger than the one that went to Athens," said Ann Ferguson, performance manager for the British Canoe Union. "Everybody is really excited about the challenge ahead and there is a growing belief that we can win Britain's first canoeing gold." That triumph is, perhaps, most likely to come on the flatwater, where Tim Brabants is emerging as a genuine force. Having won gold over 1,000m and silver over 500m at last year's World Championships, the 31-year-old doctor, who will compete in both events in China, won another gold medal at the recent European Championships in Milan.

"What is particularly encouraging from our point of view is that Tim feels he is going faster now than at any other point in his career," said Ferguson. "Considering he got bronze over 1,000m at the [2000] Sydney Olympics, that is really saying something." "It won't be easy for Tim, though. He is going to have to look out for the Canadian, Adam van Koeverden, who won gold in Athens and is once again looking a real threat. He is definitely favourite for gold in both events." Two outside bets for medals are Fiona Pennie, who replaces Reeves in the women's kayak, and David Florence, who will ride the men's single canoe. "Fiona was a European medallist in 2006 while David came second in the World Cup Race Series in 2007, so they know what it takes to perform well at an elite competition," said Ferguson. "The majority of the team have been in China for some time now in order to acclimatise and understand as best they can how the water will do.

That shows just how intent they are on winning medals over there." Diving Silver Peter Waterfield and Leon Taylor Considering they contain a 14-year-old among their ranks it is perhaps no surprise that Britain's diving team has been told to treat the upcoming Games as a experience-gathering exercise. "It's a young team that is very much focused on the future - 80% of the team has never been to an Olympics before," said Steve Foley, performance director for the squad. "But long-term, Beijing will be a huge benefit for these athletes." That is certainly a sentiment shared by Tom Daley, the teenager in question, who has already stated he is not targeting a medal in China and will instead treat every dive he performs there as practice for London in 2012. However, should Daley suddenly gain a desire for a podium place he could always turn to as a mentor Leon Taylor who, along with Peter Waterfield, secured silver in the synchronised 10m event four years ago, Britain's first diving medal since 1960. Taylor was set on going one better in Beijing but has been forced to retire with a chronic back injury.

Determined to stay involved, he is now coaching Britain's great young hope, who takes his place in the synchronised pair alongside Blake Aldridge. "It's a shame to see Leon retire. I would have loved to have gone up against him in an individual competition, but we'll never know the outcome now," said Daley. "He's still going to play a very important role as a mentor to me and he's been a massive help to me in my diving career over the past two years." The two members of the 10-person team that have Olympic experience are Waterfield, who will be competing in the men's individual platform, and Tandi Gerrard, who came fourth in the 3m syncronised event in Athens. "As a team we'll be looking to securing three individual finalists and the rest of the squad will be targeting semi-final spots," said Foley, who won two silver medals for Australia at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982 and joined Team GB in January 2003.

"It would of course be nice to repeat or better what we did in Athens but our decision is to take a more long-term approach and focus on making a real impact in four years' time." Equestrianism Silver GB Three-day Event team Bronze Pippa Funnell There are surely few Olympic events that frustrate those involved quite like eventing. Two medallists from Athens, including Leslie Law who won gold, and two others who were part of the British team up until the last couple of months, are forced to miss Beijing solely because of the failing health of others. Those others, it should be said, are the horses they compete on and who have either become too old to go or are recovering from injury. Perhaps no one feels the irritation as much as Law who, having become the first British man since Richard Meade in 1972 to win an Olympic eventing gold, cannot defend his title because the horse that got him there, Shear L'Eau, has since been retired. A similar fate has befallen Jeanette Brakewell who took silver in the mixed-team event four years ago but is also without a horse.

More recently, Zara Phillips and Lucy Wiegersma have had to drop out because their horses, Toytown and Shaabrak respectively, picked up injuries. Phillips was "heartbroken" at having to miss her first Olympics. "It is common in equestrian events for personnel to change from one Olympics to another because of the physical condition of the horses," said Yogi Breisner, performance manager for the Olympic three-day team. "A rider cannot just pick another horse. It takes time to develop and train one to Olympic standard and the cost of doing so from start to finish is close to £500,000." The absence of some leads to opportunities for others, but the concern is that those who have come in lack the experience and quality to repeat the success of Athens. Neither Sharon Hunt, Tina Cook and Daisy Dick, the three new faces in the team, have competed at an Olympics. "It is true we lack Olympic experience but that is not to say the team is inexperienced. We ensure that in the four years between Games our prospective competitors get as much championship experience as possible," said Breisner.

"Someone like Daisy Dick, for instance, has already competed at four international competitions and has been eventing for more than 15 years. We are confident she, as well as the team as a whole, will do well in Beijing." Exactly how well is a question Breisner is unwilling to answer, insisting the field is too open to make a prediction. "Australia has a very strong team, particularly Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks, the husband and wife team, they are going to be serious medal challengers," he said. "And you can't discount the Germans, the French or the Americans either. "There are no medal-targets but we feel we have the riders capable of winning a gold in the individual and team events." British medals Athens

Question: In the 2008 Olympic Games a team of 3 British women won a sailing gold medal - for which class of boat?
Answer: Yngling